The Business Journal
Official Publication of the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce • June 2009 • www.picoriverachamber.org

Small Business
Can Now Apply
for ARC Loans

S

tarting mid June 2009, SBA
will begin accepting loans
for a temporary new program
called America’s Recovery Capital
(ARC). ARC loans of up to $35,000
are designed to provide a “bridge”
for viable small businesses with
immediate financial hardship – to
keep their doors open until they get
back on track.
“These ARC loans are another
tool in the SBA toolkit which will
provide critical support to small
businesses struggling to make it
through these tough economic
times,” said Administrator Karen
G. Mills.
“We encourage small business
owners to inquire with SBA lenders
to see if the ARC loan would be appropriate for their business’ needs,”
said Alberto G. Alvarado, Los Angeles SBA district director.

See Loans
CONTINUED ON 4

Business Roundtable Discusses
Employment Strategies in a Down Economy
By Linda Bock

M

ayor Pro Tem Bob
Archuleta welcomed guest
speakers Joanna Blake
and Christopher Milligan, from the
law firm of Atkinson, Andelson,
Loya, Ruud & Romo, at the Pico
Rivera Chamber of Commerce
Business Roundtable held at El
Rodeo Restaurant. The event was
held in conjunction with the City
of Pico Rivera. Blake and Milligan
gave a thorough and well-prepared
presentation
of
employment
strategies that would be helpful in a
down economy.
Joanna L. Blake represents
employers in all aspects of labor
relations and employment law
matters, including employment
discrimination,
wrongful
termination,
harassment,
and
wage and hour. She also counsels
employers
regarding
human
resources policy matters, employee
relations, and, in particular, assisting
employers to administer leaves

Funeraria Del Angel
Holds Annual BBQ

Members of the Pico Rivera business community joined at the El Rodeo
Restaurant recently for the latest in a series of lunch forums designed to
inform and educate them about vital issues impacting the local economy.
Pictured during the luncheon are, from left, Alex Saulas (Health First
Medical Group), Pico Rivera Councilman Bob Archuleta, Cheryl Romero (Preferred Bank), and Thomas Lott (TLC Promotions). The Business
Roundtable series is presented by the City and the Pico Rivera Chamber
of Commerce.
Christopher Milligan practices
of absence and conduct disability
reasonable accommodation analysis. primarily in the areas of employment
Blake is a frequent speaker on labor
See Employment
and employment issues.
CONTINUED ON 7

12th Annual Golf
Tournament a Big Success

Honoring city personnel: Staff of Funeraria Del Angel pose during the
festivities along with Pico Rivera Councilmen Bob Archuleta and Ron
Beilke.
of the Funeraria, led by manager
For many years, the Funeraria
Jose Medina, lug equipment, light
Del Angel has been the most genthe BBQ's and do all the cooking.
erous sponsor of the annual BBQ
The heavily attended outdoor
event was originally started by the
for our brave men and women in
uniform who serve the city of Pico Morrow Family and has grown
larger every year.
Rivera.
It’s always a very fun and excit- See BBQ
ing day for all involved. The staff
CONTINUED ON 7
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publication, printing the indetia this way places it at tht top of page one when the paper is held upside down.

Golfing for a good cause: {l-r} David Briano of State Farm Insurance,
Pico Rivera Mayor Gracie Gallegos, Denise Walton of Enterprise RentA-Car, Maria Segovia, V.P. of Pacific Western Bank & Jim Osborne of
Whittier Fertilizer Company at the tournament.
The attendance was excellent for
the 12th Annual Scholarship Golf
Tournament held at the California
Country Club in April.
This year, the Pico Rivera Chamber, the City of Pico Rivera, El Rancho Unified School District, and
Rio Hondo College co-hosted the
tournament to help benefit the “I’m
Going to College!” program.
Rio Hondo College has partnered with local school districts to
increase the number of first-generation and underserved youths who
go on to higher education. The "I'm
Going To College" (IGTC) programs
are designed to encourage middleschool students and their parents

to get well informed about higher
educational opportunities and to
get hem thinking about academic
excellence and college as soon as
possible. The program helps them
realize that going to college is a goal
they want to begin to plan for now –
both with the appropriate academic
preparation as well as financial savings.
In Pico Rivera, the El Rancho
Unified School District, the City
of Pico Rivera and the Pico Rivera
Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Rio Hondo, started

1

See Loans See Golf Honoring city personnel: Staff of Funeraria Del Angel pose during the festivities along with Pico Rivera Councilmen Bob Archuleta and Ron Beilke. For many years, the Funeraria Del Angel has been the most gen- erous sponsor of the annual BBQ for our brave men and women in uniform who serve the city of Pico Rivera. It’s always a very fun and excit- ing day for all involved. The staff CONTINUED ON 7 CONTINUED ON 7 CONTINUED ON 6 CONTINUED ON 4 By Linda Bock